Kim Wilson is an experienced Founder and CEO, having successfully exited her most recent start-up: Social News Desk (SND). As a former-journalist, Kim saw a problem in her own industry and solved it by creating a SaaS company that would go on to become the worldwide leader in social media solutions for local news. In 2014, Kim led Social News Desk through an acquisition by Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC), a public company which was founded by Katharine Graham, the first female Fortune 500 CEO. Today, Kim remains at the helm of Social News Desk, overseeing an entirely remote team. Learn more about Kim Wilson.

 
Tech Showcase Registration Cost (includes luncheon)
GSAE Member: $79 (log in for pricing); 3 CAE hours
Guest: $99
Exhibitors (two reps, includes lunch and tabletop): $129 (limited to 10)
Luncheon Only Cost
GSAE member: $39 early bird ($49, after November 5); 1 CAE hour
Guest: $49 early bird, ($59 after November 5)

Tech Showcase & Luncheon Schedule
10:00-10:30 am - Registration and Coffee, hosted by Exhibitors
10:30-11:30 am - Member Orientation
10:30-11:00 am - Attend 1 of 2 breakout sessions on Tech Strategy, featuring Russ Webb and Pete Zimek, CAE
11:00-11:30 am - Attend 1 of 2 breakout sessions - Quick Tips; various speakers including exhibitors
11:30 am - Exhibitors Open & Networking Reception
Noon-1:15 pm - Luncheon and Keynote featuring speaker from Atlanta's Tech Village (the very cool incubator)
1:30-2:00 pm - Attend other session on Tech Strategy, featuring Russ Webb and Pete Zimek, CAE
2:00-2:30 pm - Attend other breakout session - Quick Tips; various speakers including exhibitors

REGISTER HERE!

Thank you to our host: Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (Downtown)
165 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 659-6500

Thank you to our sponsor: Richmond Region Tourism

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the below events are subject to change. We appreciate your flexibility as we all navigate this new environment.

• Luncheons in February, April, July, September, and November are $39 for all GSAE members. If any are moved to a virtual Zoom program, it will be $25 for GSAE members.
• Workshops will be priced at $35-$49 per CAE credit hour.
• The 2022 GSAE Annual Meeting is at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on Jekyll Island, June 1-3.
  • First association executive attendee - $399.
  • Corporate supplier exhibitor and sponsor packages range from $679 to $2,909.
  • Additional attendees from the same organization - $359 each.
  • Room rates from $189 to $259 run of house (before taxes).

Beth Gendler Promoted to President/CEO Congratulations to Beth Gendler, CMP, CDME for being promoted to President/CEO at Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.

	Kara Bastarache, CAE Receives Forty Under 40 Recognition Association Forum announced the Forty Under 40 recipients for 2021. Kara Bastarache, CAE was among those honored with such a special recognition. Congratulations, Kara! Read the press release and view other Forty Under 40 cohort members here.
	Nick Arnold Named to the 2021 Connect Association 40 Under 40 Nick Arnold of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau was recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 by Connect Association. Read more about 40 Under 40 here.

Governor Appoints 20 to the Georgia Tourism Foundation

Congratulations to the following community members who will serve on the Georgia Tourism Foundation. See the full press release. 

• Paul Cramer is president & CEO of The Classic Center, a 350,000-square-foot meeting and convention facility, with a 2,000 -seat performing arts theatre, 2,000-seat arena, and 22,000-square-foot outdoor covered pavilion, with a removable ice rink located in Athens, Georgia. 
• Jay Markwalter, TMP serves as executive director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (GACVB), the unified voice, education, and leadership development resource for our state's destination marketing organizations. 
• William Pate serves as president of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), where he oversees maintaining tourism as one of the city's top economic drivers. 

Next Stop, Christmas!  Mr. Abit and Kayanne Massey's grandson, Chandler Massey, will be starring in a Hallmark Christmas movie this year. "Next Stop, Christmas" captures a love story caught when the Christmas spirit is at it's peak! The film will be released on November 6, 2021 on the Hallmark Channel. Read more about the new movie here! (Photo courtesy of the Emmy Awards)

Trio of Women Become New Owners of Association Services Group, LLC

Caitlin Hyatt, Samantha Kilgore, and Katie Oxford are the new owners of Association Services Group, LLC as former President, Charles Hall, moves towards retirement. All three women have served in the Association Management sector and have advanced each organization they have been involved with. Association Services Group, LLC was founded by Charles Hall in 1995. Read full press release here.  

 

Mary Beth Cornell Named 2021 TAPPI Fellows Inductee TAPPI describes the Fellow title as an honor given to a select few who have contributed in exceptional ways to the association and industry. Mary Beth Cornell was named as one of the 2021 TAPPI Fellow recipients, and makes an even more substantial statement as she is a member of their staff. Congratulations, Mary Beth! Read more about TAPPI and the Fellow Inductees here.

 

Association Trends’ 2021 TRENDY Awards

Congratulations to the following GSAE member organizations honored for the best marketing and communications pieces in the association and nonprofit community. See the full list of winners.

Annual or Quarterly Magazine or Journal - ACEC Georgia - Top 100 Influential Women in Georgia
Exhibitor Sales Kit - Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia - 2020 BOMA Show Enhanced Exposure Experience Sales Kit
Most Improved Magazine or Journal - The Georgia Society of CPAS - Current Accounts
Monthly Professional Society Magazine - Naylor Association Solutions - Oregon Dental Association Membership Matters August 2020 Issue
Promotional Items - Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia - Defining Your Own Boundaries

ASAE Announces 2021 Gold Circle Winners

The Gold Circle Award denotes excellence, innovation and achievement in association/nonprofit marketing, membership, and communications programs. Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia is recognized under the Sponsorship/Exhibits/Advertising Promotion category for their  BOMA Show Enhanced Exposure Experience program. Congratulations to the BOMA Georgia staff: Gabriel Eckert, FASAE, CAE, Jacob Wilder, CAE, Molly Looman, and Owen Kavanagh. Learn more.

	Jekyll Island Chosen as One of Five U.S. Islands for Meetings By Successful Meetings Successful Meetings ranked the Jekyll Island Convention Center as No. 2 on their list of the best U.S. island meeting spaces. Recognized for its ocean front convention center, exceptional attractions, and outstanding hospitality, the island exceeds expectations for meeting locations.
	They Have Done it Again!  The Omni Amelia Island Resort has once again been ranked as one of Condé Nast Traveler's top 20 resorts in Florida! Whether you are there for business or pleasure you'll find the adventure filled atmosphere will have you leaving refreshed and energized.
	Savannah, GA Named One of the Best Cities in the U.S. Condé Nast Traveler considers Savannah to be one of the very best cities in the U.S. With the richness of history, great food, and outstanding views, we are not surprised to see the city ranked amongst the best in the nation. Not to mention their optimal meeting and convention spaces!

	MPI Georgia's Fall Classic MPI Georgia is hosting their 13th Golf and Bocce Tournament  November 1, 2021. Check out the opportunities to compete, sponsor, or simply enjoy the reception and silent auction. See details for the November 1 event here.
	Athens Introduces a New Way to Taste Local Brews Athens Beer Trail is the perfect adventure for fall and beer lovers. This new way of tasting your way around the city's local breweries is sure to make Athens even more special. Learn more about the beer trail and its process here.
	New AC Hotel Builds First Rooftop Bar in the Perimeter Area Dunwoody just welcomed a new addition to their entertainment district that provides happy hour fun and incredible views. Bar Peri, located in new AC Hotel offers residents, visitors, and businesspeople a local to enjoy the Perimeter's skyline and a cocktail to go with it. Read more about the new rooftop bar here.

Condé Nast Traveler® Names Best Small Cities

Each year, readers weigh in on their favorite American cities, big and small, and it’s always exciting to witness which trending locales can rise to the top and compete with the old stalwarts. As the world has begun to reopen, the results of the 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey reflect the kinds of places you longed to visit when you couldn’t travel and the ones you returned to first once you could. Read more.

Visit Savannah - 8
Visit Greenville - 5
Explore Charleston - 2

Linda Arcangeli-Story, CMP is Associate Director, Meetings & Events at Elevanta.

 

As Chair of the Nominating Committee, I am pleased to announce the following slate of officers and GSAE Board of Directors members for 2022. Please note that this term of office, unless otherwise noted, will run for 2 years from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

CHAIR (automatic): Ashley Goodin, CAE
CHAIR-ELECT (automatic): Mike Pennington, CAE
TREASURER: Val Smith, CAE
PAST Chair (automatic): Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE

BEGINNING two-year terms on the Board
Cece Corbin
Samantha (Sam) Evans, CAE, MBA
Lisa- Marie Haygood, CAE
Jan Price, CAE
Maria Trammell

COMPLETING terms on the Board in December 2022
Amy Kane, CAE, MBA
Robin Lane, CAE
Jason Moss
Kevin Perry
Erin Hall, CAE

The Nominating Committee endorses the slate for the 2022 GSAE Foundation Board of Trustees.
PAST Chair (automatic) – Tangela Monroe, CAE
CHAIR (automatic) – Tara Morrison, CAE, CMP
CHAIR-ELECT (automatic) – Julia Boyd, CAE
TREASURER – John Roch, CAE
BOARD Representative – Mike Pennington, CAE

Our thanks to our board members who will complete their terms this year. They will be recognized during the December 8 GSAE Business Meeting. They are Joel Peacock, Jason Cline, CAE, Kelly McLendon, CAE, John Roch, CAE, and Jennifer Thompson.                                  

Respectfully submitted, the GSAE Nominating Committee
Joel Peacock, Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE, Ashley Goodin, CAE, Heather Blanchard, CAE, Ragan Cohn, CAE, and Kevin Shea, CEcD.

Relevant Bylaws:
The nominating committee shall submit at least one (1) name for each available elective office of the Society and said slate shall be presented, in writing, to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting and again, orally, at the annual business meeting.

Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2021. **note date change**

• Updated curriculum featuring GSAE leaders and industry experts
• Experiential learning opportunities and tours of local associations
• Capstone project based on learning outcomes
• Eight day-long classes and an overnight kick-off retreat
• Facilitated by current and past GSAE leaders, past graduates, and subject specialists
• Open to any GSAE member CEO or staff
• Limited to no more than 20 professionals
• $1,700 covers registration, tours, meals, and all course materials
• Convenient payment plans are available as long as the balance is met by December 31, 2022
• Up to 56 credit hours to qualify to sit for the CAE exam or to recertify

The Real-Time Compensation Benchmarking tool is a 24/7/365 online compensation benchmarking platform designed exclusively for executives
of professional, trade and service-centric associations/nonprofits.

• NEW - Free to GSAE members through March 2022
• Entering data will always be free
• Compare key operational metrics, estimate valuable KPI's, and generate customized reports
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Get started now!

Live webinars are worth 1 CAE hour. Did you know? More than 94 CAE-qualifying recorded webinars are available 24/7 on our GSAE website.

• October 13, 1:30 pm EDT: Hello Hybrid - The Power & Pitfalls of the Hybrid Work Model 
• October 27, 1:30 pm EDT: Connect Mission and Money Incorporating Racial Equity, EDI, Climate Change and More
• November 2, 1:30 pm EDT: Hands-On with the Future of Copywriting for Associations 
• November 10, 1:30 pm EDT: DEI Benchmarking Study & Event

• Tech Showcase & Luncheon - November 10, 2021 - 1 CAE Credit. Sponsored by Richmond Region Tourism. Hosted by Sheraton Atlanta Hotel.
• GSAE Holiday Luncheon - December 8, 2021. Sponsored by Jekyll Island Authority and Discover Dunwoody. Hosted by Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center
• GSAE Winter Luncheon - February 16, 2022 - 1 CAE Credit. Hosted by Atlanta Marriott Northwest. Sponsorship Available.
• GSAE Spring Luncheon - Either April 13 or April 20, 2022 - 1 CAE Credit. Sponsored by Explore Brookhaven. Hosted by DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody. 

Huge thanks to our 2022 Annual Meeting host, Jekyll Island Authority, and their marketing department for creating such a welcoming logo. Maria Trammell and Kevin Udell cannot wait to welcome y’all June 1-3, 2022. The Pay the Pig recipient will be the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, of course. Room blocks are being set up at not 1, 2, or 3 properties, but nearly all available hotels. We’ll open those up in late September so watch your email.

As a reminder:

1. GSAE annual dues are sent via gsae@gsae.memberclicks.net beginning in November. Always check that "from" line if you have any doubts.
2. GSAE does not contract with third-party companies to sell our mailing list or member data. Please disregard any such fraudulent company solicitations. If you would like to rent GSAE's mailing list legitimately, you may access the contract on our forms page. We do not release your email address as part of the mailing list rental agreement - ever, per Board policy.
3. GSAE staff or leaders will never ask you to transfer funds to a staffer, volunteer leader, or another member for any reason. If one of our leaders is actually traveling and runs into a spot of bother, they will contact a family member - not us, and not you.
4. While we may ask you to log in to your profile to register for an event or update your contact information, we will not ask you to send your social security number, bank account information, or credit card information directly to us. Electronic and paper invoices will direct you to our secure PCI-compliant payment page or to our fax number.
5. If you have any questions about the validity of a message from GSAE - from staff, our officers, our website or our enewsletter provider - please don't hesitate to contact us directly.

The Group Sales Symposium is an educational and networking event for all meetings/convention sales professionals: attendees include destination marketing organization group sales teams, hotel and lodging sales professionals, and group attractions, event facilities and conference center sales associates. Colleagues come together for sessions with industry experts and peers in various interactive formats to discuss new trends, tactics, and technology for improving meetings business and group market recruitment and production. Learn more.

Introducing PROPEL’s new Growth Mindset Learning Intensive, a virtual training program for cultivating a growth mindset in your self, your team, and your organization.

Our new Growth Mindset Learning Intensive is a deep-dive, online learning program designed to prepare leaders to thrive in today’s uncertain environment. Through a combination of recorded content, peer-to-peer interaction, live Q&A sessions, and concrete application exercises, we’re offering a unique opportunity to up your leadership game. Heck, we’re even sending you FIVE books to support your learning. To really solidify your growth mindset, you have to be holistic and address three different levels: self, team, and organization. So, we structured the course with one week on each area. Learn More. 

GSAE members receive a 20% discount code for the program by accessing your profile portal and then clicking the Members Offers tab. Registration is open for a cohort beginning November 15. Additional cohorts will be created on a rolling basis. - Co-Founders Maddie Grant and Jamie Notter.

The 2022 GSAE Membership Directory & Buyers' Guide will go to print soon and we want to make sure everything is exactly how you want it! Did you get a new job? Is your name spelled correctly? Do you have new contact information? Please update your profile by October 15.

• Our COVID-19 resource page and Pajama Brigade resource page are available to our community. Resources include a GSAE meetings tool kit and sample questions list to work through with a facility. We encourage our hotels, facilities, and CVBs to access these resources, too. We are all partners in keeping our attendees and visitors safe and using data-based decision-making practices. 
• Recordings of our recent virtual meetings are available on our GSAE1917 YouTube Channel through GSAEtv.
• GSAE's Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are complimentary, self-directed groups of GSAE members that focus on a particular area of interest. Learn more about Shared Interest Group (SIG) opportunities and join through your member profile or send an email to GSAE.

Title: Communications & Membership Manager; Reports To: Vice President; Status: Exempt / Full-Time; This is a new position, which is responsible for creating and sourcing content, producing...

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